MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – Tech mogul Elon Musk criticized Governor Tim Walz for celebrating the decrease in Tesla’s stock value, calling him a “huge jerk” during an interview with Fox News. Musk expressed his disapproval of Walz’s reaction to the stock price decline, referring to him as “evil” and a “creep.” He highlighted Walz’s apparent lack of concern for the Minnesota state pension fund’s investments in Tesla, focusing instead on the stock’s downward trajectory.
In addition to his remarks on Walz, Musk addressed the recent reports of vandalism at Tesla dealerships, questioning the impact of such incidents on sales and customer confidence. He expressed concern over the negative effects of these actions on the company’s reputation and suggested that they were detrimental to Tesla’s success.
The Tesla CEO’s criticism of Walz stemmed from the governor’s comments at a town hall event in Wisconsin, where Walz admitted to taking pleasure in monitoring Tesla’s stock performance for personal amusement. However, Walz later backtracked on his statements during a separate town hall in Minnesota, acknowledging that his remarks may have been insensitive and apologizing for any offense caused.
Musk’s pointed remarks towards Walz reflect a larger tension between the billionaire entrepreneur and government officials, particularly in the context of Tesla’s financial struggles and public perception. The exchange underscores the complex dynamics at play between private enterprise and public governance, highlighting the challenges of navigating such relationships amidst conflicting interests.
As Tesla’s stock value continues to fluctuate, the fallout from Musk’s confrontational stance towards Walz and other political figures remains to be seen. The clash between individual ambition and institutional power raises questions about accountability, responsibility, and the role of influential figures in shaping public discourse and policy decisions.